The Refuge of Fate

Chapter 112 - Provocation

The light festival has officially commenced once the young master finished his performance and the emperor declared its commencement.

People rejoiced.

As the small flames inside the many lanterns displayed around the capital burned, the vigor and eagerness of every citizen to continued to linger with the festive spirit they possessed. It was a great day. They were able to hear a beautiful rendition of a new song from the young master and the celebration was already taking place.

People roamed the streets without a care in the world. The exchange of goods happened between traders and there were also those who bought stuff from stalls.

Merchants lined up in every corner giving no space for the cold early winter winds to manifest.

The Dragon Prince held the hand of his father as they walked along the busy line of citizens. Raegan was amused with all the displays that were put up on each stall and his eyes sparkled every time he saw something that interested him.

It was then, his eyes caught sight of one stall that sells handmade dolls.

"Father! Look!" He urged and the man who was also looking around proceeded to gaze at the direction his son was pointing at. Both of his eyebrows rose when he saw what was displayed on that stall.

There were dolls. Dolls that looked like the white-haired king.

It had white hair and a couple of blue eyes, which was the last known image of the young master before he came to the Belmaid Empire with his now pair of blue and golden eyes.

Squealing in delight, Raegan immediately let go of his father's hands as he ran to the stall and looked up at the biggest doll in the middle of the displays. "I want that one!" He pointed and Ciaran shook his head before turning to the vendor. He didn't like showing any emotion in public because it made him uncomfortable so the moment his eyes met with the merchant's, the latter stiffened in his spot.

"W-What are you looking at?!" The man spoke in a loud and obviously frightened voice. Just by looking at the person in front of him made his body cripple in fear for unknown reasons. He felt like he was having a hard time breathing but he really wasn't.

"How much is that?" Ciaran pointed to the doll Raegan was already freaking out about.

"The biggest one is ten silver coins!" The merchant demanded and Ciaran's eyebrows obviously furrowed at the price. Seeing the reaction, the man smirked as the confidence in his body returned after having that random panic in his mind just a few seconds ago.

"Ha!" He scoffed before crossing his arms. "I understand if it's too expensive. After all, it is a doll made from the image of the young master himself! He is a treasure to the nation and his value is far from cheap!" His nose was flaring with confidence at this point that he could insert two fingers in one hole.

"If you cannot afford it then I beckon you be on your way, gentlemen. This is no place for beggars like you- Achk!" He stopped mid-sentence when something hit his forehead.

He looked at the object that dropped on the head of one of the dolls and his eyes widened when he saw what it was.

"You are selling inanimate imitations of him yet you cannot even properly copy his eyes." Raegan smiled when he saw the object on the man's hand and without asking for permission, he grabbed the biggest doll on the display and hugged it.

"Wha-"

"Ten silver coins for his image? Preposterous." Shaking his head, Ciaran turned his back on the merchant and together with his son, they started to walk away. Raegan was happily nudging his face on the doll's face.